JOwen
Puritan Board Junior
For the past two weeks our congregation has been blessed by the ministry of Rev. Terrance Atkinson (missionary to Italy and Greece) in our Midweek services. It has also been my personal pleasure to chauffeur him and his dear wife too and from the meetings. The lengthy drive has been a wonderful opportunity to discuss various subjects pertaining to the ministry, such as preaching, evangelism, and a topic which is very much on the tip of both our tongues... Martyn Lloyd-Jones. What a pleasure it has been for me to listen and learn from one of my favorite preachers.
Several things struck me while Rev. Atkinson was bringing the Word to us last week, but one thing in particular stood out from the rest. I don't even think it was during the formal meeting itself, but it occurred after the message as we fellowshipped. We were on the topic of liturgy in the Church and how many young people in the Reformed Churches want to modernize the worship to become more relevant to the society around us. Pastor Atkinson made the interesting observation that in the Eastern Orthodox Church their liturgy has not changed in over 1500 years. Yet their Churches are filled with young people! How can this be? I have given this considerable thought over the past two weeks as to why the Orthodox Church has not only maintained their liturgy for a millennia and a half, but managed to keep successive generations interested in the Church. Here are my thoughts:
* A reverence for God's Word above the opinions of men.
I will not defend most of Orthodoxy's liturgy, but I will commend them for their steadfastness to principle. They are not moved by the fickle fancies of modern society nor compelled to find acceptance in the kaleidescope of worldly opinions. Far too much time is spent in many Reformed Churches wondering what society will think of us instead of wondering what God will think of us. In the modern Church, we have become so enamored with the world's demand for the Church to be relevant, we have unavoidably deserted our principles. It is a perfect example of the tail wagging the dog. This should not be.
* A passion for what is true.
Right or wrong, the Orthodox believe passionately. There is an obvious burning desire which resides at their very core, compelling them to act with absolute affection. We find this same kind of dedication in growing cults such as the Jehovah's Wittinesses, and the Mormons. Why is it that these false religions have more passion for a lie that many of us have for the truth? Part of the reason, I'm sure, is that the devil is not fighting them at every turn. He is more than willing to lend a helping hand as they distribute their lies. But is it not also the case that their passion for what the think is true motivates them to share and preach without regard of persecution or rejection? Yet how many of us bring Christ to our neighbour, our co-worker, and our friends? Do we really have a passion for what we say is true?
* An intense spirituality.
There is a soulish spirituality among the Orthodox that goes beyond their catechism and the Seven Ecumenical Councils. In other words, it is more than just doctrine. One Puritan said, "œA man may be theologically knowing, and spiritually ignorant". Is this not the case in many Churches? We have a tendency in Reformed circles to so avoid the charismatic movement that we unavoidably forget that the Christian walk is a spiritual journey. Excess has bred contempt, and we no longer seek for the moving of the Spirit in any real way. We are satisfied with formalism, void of any heartfelt spirituality. When was the last time we prayed as Isaiah, "œOh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence"?
What we need.
What we need, we cannot conger up with programs and multimedia events. What we need are sore knees and necks in prayer. What we need is a re-acquaintance with the principles that sparked a passion of spirituality that changed most of the know world at the time of Reformation. We should not try and recreate the Reformation, it will never happen like that. However, we have the same tools at our disposal that sparked the revivals of old. All we are missing is principle, passion, and an intense spirituality, that says we desire the smiles of God more than the smiles of men.
Any thoughts?
Kind regards,
Jerrold Lewis
Several things struck me while Rev. Atkinson was bringing the Word to us last week, but one thing in particular stood out from the rest. I don't even think it was during the formal meeting itself, but it occurred after the message as we fellowshipped. We were on the topic of liturgy in the Church and how many young people in the Reformed Churches want to modernize the worship to become more relevant to the society around us. Pastor Atkinson made the interesting observation that in the Eastern Orthodox Church their liturgy has not changed in over 1500 years. Yet their Churches are filled with young people! How can this be? I have given this considerable thought over the past two weeks as to why the Orthodox Church has not only maintained their liturgy for a millennia and a half, but managed to keep successive generations interested in the Church. Here are my thoughts:
* A reverence for God's Word above the opinions of men.
I will not defend most of Orthodoxy's liturgy, but I will commend them for their steadfastness to principle. They are not moved by the fickle fancies of modern society nor compelled to find acceptance in the kaleidescope of worldly opinions. Far too much time is spent in many Reformed Churches wondering what society will think of us instead of wondering what God will think of us. In the modern Church, we have become so enamored with the world's demand for the Church to be relevant, we have unavoidably deserted our principles. It is a perfect example of the tail wagging the dog. This should not be.
* A passion for what is true.
Right or wrong, the Orthodox believe passionately. There is an obvious burning desire which resides at their very core, compelling them to act with absolute affection. We find this same kind of dedication in growing cults such as the Jehovah's Wittinesses, and the Mormons. Why is it that these false religions have more passion for a lie that many of us have for the truth? Part of the reason, I'm sure, is that the devil is not fighting them at every turn. He is more than willing to lend a helping hand as they distribute their lies. But is it not also the case that their passion for what the think is true motivates them to share and preach without regard of persecution or rejection? Yet how many of us bring Christ to our neighbour, our co-worker, and our friends? Do we really have a passion for what we say is true?
* An intense spirituality.
There is a soulish spirituality among the Orthodox that goes beyond their catechism and the Seven Ecumenical Councils. In other words, it is more than just doctrine. One Puritan said, "œA man may be theologically knowing, and spiritually ignorant". Is this not the case in many Churches? We have a tendency in Reformed circles to so avoid the charismatic movement that we unavoidably forget that the Christian walk is a spiritual journey. Excess has bred contempt, and we no longer seek for the moving of the Spirit in any real way. We are satisfied with formalism, void of any heartfelt spirituality. When was the last time we prayed as Isaiah, "œOh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence"?
What we need.
What we need, we cannot conger up with programs and multimedia events. What we need are sore knees and necks in prayer. What we need is a re-acquaintance with the principles that sparked a passion of spirituality that changed most of the know world at the time of Reformation. We should not try and recreate the Reformation, it will never happen like that. However, we have the same tools at our disposal that sparked the revivals of old. All we are missing is principle, passion, and an intense spirituality, that says we desire the smiles of God more than the smiles of men.
Any thoughts?
Kind regards,
Jerrold Lewis
